Welcome to Alberta sign, Coutts crossing, CanadaWelcome to Alberta sign, Coutts crossing, Canada

I'm driving at 100 kilometers per hour, it's -1 degree Celsius and the cashier wants to know if I want any loonies or toonies!!! WHAAATTT!!! We're not in the USA anymore Toto!

 

Welcome to Alberta, Canada and the Great White North! Eh! This post is from our travels the last week of April.

 

 

A large can of Canada's Tim Hortons original blend coffee on a stove topA large can of Canada's Tim Hortons original blend coffee on a stove top

 

And when in Canada, do as a Canadian would... have a cup of Tim Hortons in the morning, the unofficial official brand of coffee!

 

 

Canadian maple leaf flag blowing in a snow storm at Beaver Dam Golf & RV Resort in Madden, Alberta, CanadaCanadian maple leaf flag blowing in a snow storm at Beaver Dam Golf & RV Resort in Madden, Alberta, Canada

 

It's the last few days of April and we're just north of Calgary and hunkered down for a blizzard. 1/2 mile visibility, sideways snow all day and in the mid 20's.

 

 

An RV covered in snow and iceAn RV covered in snow and ice

 

We can't even put our Alberta sticker on the map!

 

 

GMC truck with kayaks in front of RV's in a snow stormGMC truck with kayaks in front of RV's in a snow storm

 

Because of the blizzard a lot of sightseeing is cut short.

 

 

Banff sign, Alberta, CanadaBanff sign, Alberta, Canada

 

 

We do get to visit Banff for a short day. The town of Banff is very quaint with a lot of chalet style buildings giving it a European feel.

 

 

A view of Mount Rundle reflecting in Vermillion Lakes in the foreground, Banff National Park, Alberta, CanadaA view of Mount Rundle reflecting in Vermillion Lakes in the foreground, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

 

It's still very early in the season which makes for some great photos and hardly any crowds.

 

 

Despite the thin ice warning people walk on a frozen Lake Louise in Banff Natl Park, Alberta, CanadaDespite the thin ice warning people walk on a frozen Lake Louise in Banff Natl Park, Alberta, Canada

 

Some lakes are still frozen and not everything is open. But how frozen are they? Ask the guy who fell through last week! This is Lake Louise.

 

A Canadian-Pacific train rolls along the Kootenay River in Banff Natl Park,A Canadian-Pacific train rolls along the Kootenay River in Banff Natl Park,

 

The snow capped mountains look great in the spring, especially with a Canadian-Pacific train rolling through.

 

Elk grazing while snowing in Banff National Park, Alberta, CanadaElk grazing while snowing in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

 

A bull elk starts to shed his winter coat and grow some antlers while grazing along the road.

 

 

A group of Alaska bound travelers pose at the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, CanadaA group of Alaska bound travelers pose at the start of the Alaska Highway in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada

 

After Calgary and Banff we headed north to Dawson Creek and the start of the Alaska Highway. When we get there it is still cold and snowing.

 

The Alcan as it is known, is 1,390 miles long and connects Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada with Delta Junction, Alaska, USA. The highway was started in March 1942. Its intent was to have an inland route to Alaska for the military for the protection of North America. It was officially opened to the public in 1948.

 

So here we go!!!